Track-scale.



A. BOUSFIELD.

TRACK SCALE.

APPLICATION FILEDAUG. 19, 1911.

Patented May 19, 1911 a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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Patented May 19, 1914.,

A. BOUS FIELD.

TRACK SGALE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 19, 1911.

[Ni ENTOR FRED BOUSFIEL b CDLUIIIA PLANOGRAPM COQWASHINGTON, DJ

SJ ll IIILFEHEEEhEHEnH WITNESSES A. BOUSFIELD.

TRACK SCALE.

APPLICATION IILED AUG.19, 1911.

1,097,077. Patented May19,1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES INVENTOR wit ALFRED Bo'usniu: OJ? i 7? E jllzomey OOLUIIIA WIAIH cIJ.,WAsHmuTON. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED BOUSFIELD, or s'r. JOHNSBURY, VERMONT.

TRACK-SCALE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALFRED BoUsrIELn, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. J ohnsbury, in the county of Caledonia and State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Track-Scales, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to scales, with particular reference to railroad track scales which are used to Weigh freight cars carried by the usual four-wheel truck placed at each end, and the primary object of this device is to provide means for effectively eliminating the element of personal balance and beam reading in the operation of weighing cars.

Another object of this device is to provide means for electrically controlling the movement of the main poise, which carries with it the auxiliary poise or slide, which is also provided with means for electric control.

Another object of this device is to provide means for automatically taking a permanent record of the car weights.

\Vith these and many other objects in view, which will be more readily apparent, as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter fully pointed out, illustrated and claimed.

The essential features of the invention involved, in carrying out the objects above indicated, are susceptible to a wide range of structural modification without departing from the scope of the invention, but a preferred and practical embodiment thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the usual track scale, showing the poise and beam together with the levers and their associated relation. 'Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the improved poise. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the poise with the cover removed, showing the magnets used for operating the recording mechanism in position. Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an outline view of a hopper bottom freight car, showing the relation of the wheels to the wheel actuated control element in the track. Fig. 6 is a cross section of the control element case, showing means for intermittingly opening and closing the electrical circuit which operates the poise and impression magnets. Fig. 7 is a Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 19, 1911.

Patented May 19, 1914.

Serial No. 645,005.

view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1, showing the beam and its relation to the contact points associated therewith. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical connections for operating the printing magnet.

Like reference numerals designate correspondln parts throughout the several figures of tdle drawings.

In carrying out the present invention, the same embodies in its general organization a series of related and synchronously-operating' electrical mechanisms associated with the poise. These mechanisms, in the main, consist of a plurality of reversible motors placed in the interior of the poise, one of these m0- tors operating the main poise while the other is associated with the slide poise; the combined function of each being to balance the beam. the beam, and within the poise case is a separate mechanism, which consists of an electrically operated nnpression plunger for recording the weights.

The poise, in its entirety, constitutes the principal instrumenta-lity through which the balancing, weighing and recording is effected, and is designated as a whole by the numeral 10, and consists of a casing 11, having contained therein a reversible motor 12, having a worm gear 13, rigidly secured to the armature shaft 14. Associated with the gear 13 is a driven gear 15, supported on a shaft 16, journaled at 17 and 1 8,'andcarrying in alinement with the top of the beam 19, a toothed pinion 20, which engages the rack 21, located on the top of the beam. From this it will be readily apparent that any movement of the motor 12 servesto. cause a movement of the poise along the Assoclated further with the beam 1 beam. 19, and located within the walls of the poise 10, what may be termed the slide poise motor 22, having an extended armature shaft 23, fitted with a worm gear 2% mesh- 1; mg with a driven gear 25, which is provided with a shaft 26, journaled in bearings, and carrylng at its innermost end a toothed p1nion 28, whlch engages the rack 29, slidably arranged on bearings 30, cooperating j with the longitudinal slots 31 in the slide. It is quite obvious that any rotation of the armature shaft 23 will result in a movement of the slide 29.

Arranged Within the poise case 10, beneath the beam 19, and slide 28, an impression plunger 32, actuated by a magnet 33,

Associated with the under side of together with the paper tape 34, on the rolls 35, constitute the essential elements of the recording device. This recording devi ee, in addition to the parts already mentioned, enibodies in its construction a frame to which is pendulously attached the magnet 33 having the armature 33"", which, when energized compresses the spring 37, forcing the plunger 32, and the tape 34, up againstthe raised figures 38, on the lower side of the beam 19 and slide 28, thus recording the weights on the tape.

The spring 37 has an abutment on the face 39, of the frame 36, and normally keeps the impression plunger 32 away from the face of the type on the lower side of the beam and slide, and in addition to this also ro tates the paper drum 35, through tl e lever 40 and link 41, which cooperate with the ratchet wheel 42 and ratchet pawl 43, when the magnet 33 is deenergized.

The paper drum 35 is provided with journal bearings 44, which receive the journal 45, to which is attached a crank 46, and handle 47, for rotative purposes incidental to placing the tape on the rollers.

The poise case 10, is provided with openings 48 on each side which have covers 48 to facilitate the inspection of parts and the interchange of tape, whenever such is necessary. The operation of this improved electrically operated poise may be described as follows: The scale plat-form 49, is provided with a track 50, in which is located a wheel trip 51, normally held in striking relation with the wheel 52 of the car 53, by a spring 54, associated with the tap case 55. Within this trip case 55,-and cooperating with the wheel trip 51, is preferably placed a spring pressed pawl 56, the engagement of which, with the toothed ratchet 57, rotates the disk 58, which is provided with projecting pins 59, designed to strike the finger 60, as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The finger 60, being fulcrumed at the point 61, the opposite end 62, will obviously be raised from its abutment post 63, with any engagement of the pin 59. The end 62, of the finger 60, carries with it, and insulated therefrom, a contact point 64, which is the terminal of one side of the battery designed to furnish current for operating the magnet 33, the function of which has already been described, as actuating the impression plunger 32, recording the weights on the tape 34.

Referring further to Fig. 6 of the drawings, it will be noted that the mechanisn, associated with the wheel trip 51, is so arranged that the lirst two wheels of the car will pass over the trip without closing the circuit, or causing the magnet 33 to operate. As the third wheel of the car 53, passes over the trip 51, the circuit will be closed, as shown. The terminals of the battery are thus connected, through the magnet 33, cans ing the bar to be drawn up, compressing the spring 37, and forcing the impression plunger and tape up against the type on the beam and slide, recording the weights. As the fourth wheel passes over the trip, the battery circuit to the magnet 33, will be broken, the spring 37 thus forces the bar 40 back, causing the pawl 43 to engage and rotate the ratchet 42, which is attached to the paper drum 35, thus a new portion of the tape is provided for the next car weighed.

With further reference to the operation of the printing magnet it will be observed that the same is independent in its operation from the action of the scale beam, and only operates when the said beam is in balance. When the fourth wheel of a car truck has passed over the wheel trip 51 there is established an electrical contact between the members 64 and 64 the latter of which is in communication with the source of electrical supply B as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. The Contact member 64 is electrically connected to the longitudinal eonductor 74 which is insulated from the scale beam 10 as shown at 74 Tn order to complete the magnet circuit there is secured to on of the walls 11 of the poise 10 an electric contact finger 75, the same being insulated from the poise casing and arranger to slidably bear on the longitudinal conductor 74. The said contact finger 7 5 is electrically connected to the magnet 33 which is also in electrical communication with the source of electric energy B. Thus when the trip contact is closed, a circuit will be set up which flows from the source B through the contact members (34 and G4, and thence through the conductor 74 and contact finger to the magnet 33 which it energizes, and then returns to the source of electric energy E. This can be clearly traced out in Fig. 8.

The operation of the poise may be described as follows: The trig-stand is pr vided with a plurality of contact points, one of which is designated by the numeral at the top of the loop 66, while cooperating therewith is another contact point 67, at the bottom 68 of the loop. Obviously when a load enters upon the scale platform 49, the beam 19 will rise, until the projection 69 strikes the battery terminal, or contact point 65, thus making the circuit complete, through the motor 12, causing the armature 14 to rotate such that the motor will drive the main poise toward the end of the beam, thus balancing the load on the platform, at which time the tip of the beam will fall, cutting otf the battery current to the motor, and stopping the movement of the main poise. As the top of the beam falls, the contact point 70, is first engaged by a battery terminal 71, thus compl ting the circuit through motor 22, causing the armature 23 to rotate such that the slide 29, is moved toward the tip of the beam, this will obviously cause the beam to further descend, whereupon, if the balance has not been accurately struck for the load on the platform, the tip of the beam will continue to descend until the projection 71, engages the contact point or battery terminal 67, closing the circuit through the motor 22, causing the armature 23 to rotate in a reverse direction, thus moving the poise slide 29 back toward the opposite end of the beam. If the balance has been accurately struck, the beam will come to rest, and if the balance has not been accurately made, alternate contacts will be made until the beam comes to rest. This action is simultaneous with the action of the mechanism for recording the weights of the cars, which is fully described above.

In connection with the operation of the slide poise 10 on the scale beam 19, it will be observed by reference to Fig. 7 that the beam contacts 69 and 71 are in electrical communication with each other by the con ductor element C which bridges the space on the beam between them. Both of the said contacts 69 and 71 and the conductor elements C are insulated from the beam 19. The longitudinal beam contact 76 is in electrical contact with the conductor G and like the said conductor C is insulated from the beam 19 as clearlyshown in Fig. 4t of the drawings. From this conductor 76 electric energy is supplied to the motor 12, which is electrically connected to the source of electric supply B. Thus when a weight is applied to the scale platform and the scale beam rises, the upper beam cont-act 69 strikes against the trig stand contact which is also in communication with the source of electric supply B. The meeting of the contacts'69 and 65 closes the circuit through the motor 12 causing the same to actuate the poise 11 as hereinbefore indicated. Then if the scale beam falls, the beam contact 71 on the lower side of the beam strikes against the bottom trig stand contact 67 and again closes the circuit throiwh the motor 12 sending it in the reverse direction, since the trig stand contact 67 is electrically connected to the source of electric supply B as shown in Fig. 7. i

The slide bar as heretofore stated is shifted by the motor 22 which is in sliding contact with the longitudinal conductor 77 on the opposite side of the scale beam 19, and which is adapted to make alternate contacts with the contact fingers 71 and 71 secured to and insulated from one of the vertical sides of the-trig stand. Each of said contact fingers 71 and 71 are in electrical communication with one terminal of the source of electrical supply B, and the motor is in electrical communication with the other terminal of said source of electrical supply as also clearly shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. Thus't-he oscillation of the scale beam actuates the motor 22 and slide 29 in a manner similar to that of the motor 12 and the poise 10 as previously indicato in this specification.

Referring further to Fig. 1, it will be noticed that I have shown an auxiliary method of carrying the tape upon which the record of weights are stamped by the action of the impression plunger 32. This method contemplates the tape 72, supported on rollers 73, located at either end of the main beam of the scale. The means for operating the tape over the face of the impression plunger have not been shown in detail, but my intention is to operate this in the same manner as shown in Fi 4 of the drawings.

Without further elaboration and description, it is thought the many advantages of.

the herein described invention will be readily apparent.

1. In an automatic weight recording scale, an electric circuit, a track trip for closing said circuit, a scale beam having an automatically shiftable poise adapted to operate upon the closing of said circuit, a second shiftable poise carried with the first mentioned poise and adapted to be operated upon the closing of the circuit, and means also actuated by the closing of the said circuit for recording the weight registered on the scale beam.

2. An automatic weighing and recording scale, comprising a scale beam, a main poise slidable thereon, a reversible motor for operating said main poise, a second poise mounted within the main poise, a reversible motor for operating said second poise, means operatively connecting each motor With its poise, a device for automatically printing and recording the weight registered by the scale, and means for closing the electric circuit through the motors and the device for automatically printing and recording the weight registered by the scale beam.

3. An automatic weighing and recording scale, comprising a beam, a main poise slidable thereon, a second poise slidable within the main poise, means within the main poise for automatically recording the reading of weight on the scale beam, motors for operating each of said poises, means operatively connecting each motor with the poise and means for automatically closing the circuit through the motors to operate the poises.

a. An automatic weighing and recording scale, comprising a scale'beam, having raised figures on its under side, and provided at its free end with contacts, a trig-stand also having contacts, a main poise slidable on the scale beam, a motor for operating the main poise, a second poise within the main poise, a motor for operating said second poise,

means operatiyely connecting each motor with its respective poise, a weight recording device within the main poise, said weightrecording device comprising a tape web adapted to be unwound from its spool, a drum for winding the tape thereon, a vertically reciprocating plunger for aressing the tape web onto the raised letters on the under side of the scale beam, means for automatically operating the plunger and winding drum, and a track device adapted to close a circuit through the scale beam, the said trigs stand contacts cooperating with the contacts on the scale beam for operating the poises and recording device.

5. In combination with a scale, means for automatically balancing the weight on the platform, said means comprising a main poise, equipped with a plurality of reversible motors, a second poise slidalole within the main poise, one of said motors controlling the incr ment forward and backward of the main poise: the function or the other being to control the forward and backward movement of the slide poise, means for re Versing the motors, means for recording the weights on the platform, said means comprising a spring supported wheel trip, said trip being normally in alinement with the wheel, a spring pressed pawl and a toothed ratchet associated with the trip, a toothed disk movable with the ratchet wheel, said teeth in the disk being spaced with relation to the number of wheels in trucks of the car, means for closing the circuit thus operating the magnets and motors, which comprise the active elements associated with the poise and beam, substantially as described, illustrated and claimed.

in testimony whereof I hereunto atlix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED BOUSFIELD.

Vl itnesses ERNEST C. HoLiniooit, lV. E. Hornms.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents, Washington, D. 0. 

